Children’s Hospital Resource Utilization During the 2022 Viral Respiratory Surge

Abstract

OBJECTIVES Multiple viral respiratory epidemics occurred concurrently in 2022 but their true extent is unclear. To aid future surge planning efforts, we compared epidemiology and resource utilization with prepandemic viral respiratory seasons in 38 US children’s hospitals. METHODS We performed a serial cross-sectional study from October 2017 to March 2023. We counted daily emergency department (ED), inpatient, and ICU volumes; daily surgeries; viral tests performed; the proportion of ED visits resulting in revisit within 3 days; and proportion of hospitalizations with a 30-day readmission. We evaluated seasonal resource utilization peaks using hierarchical Poisson models. RESULTS Peak volumes in the 2022 season were 4% lower (95% confidence interval [CI] −6 to −2) in the ED, not significantly different in the inpatient unit (−1%, 95% CI −4 to 2), and 8% lower in the ICU (95% CI −14 to −3) compared with each hospital’s previous peak season. However, for 18 of 38 hospitals, their highest ED and inpatient volumes occurred in 2022. The 2022 season was longer in duration than previous seasons (P < .02). Peak daily surgeries decreased by 15% (95% CI −20 to −9) in 2022 compared with previous peaks. Viral tests increased 75% (95% CI 69–82) in 2022 from previous peaks. Revisits and readmissions were lowest in 2022. CONCLUSIONS Peak ED, inpatient, and ICU volumes were not significantly different in the 2022 viral respiratory season compared with earlier seasons, but half of hospitals reached their highest volumes. Research on how surges impact boarding, transfer refusals, and patient outcomes is needed as regionalization reduces pediatric capacity.